World Cup 2011: India stuns Ireland over 5 wickets

World Cup 2011: India stuns Ireland over 5 wickets
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Summary Ireland put a massive target of 208 runs but the Indian team achieved the target on only 46 overs from 5 wickets.

Indian captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni decided to bowl first against buoyant Ireland at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. The 29-year-old and his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (34 in 50 balls) played uncharacteristically sedate knocks and stitched together a 67-run partnership to set India well on their course to victory.The duo came together with India precariously perched at 100-4 after Sachin Tendulkar (38) and Virat Kohli (34) fell in quick succession.Following Dhonis dismissal, Yusuf Pathan blazed a quickfire 30 off 24 balls with three towering sixes to finish off the match.I am definitely very happy with my bowling. First five-wicket haul and I am happy that I could finish off the game, man-of-the-match Yuvraj said with a wide grin.Ireland played well and put us under pressure. They fielded exceptionally. Yuvrajs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni agreed: Frankly speaking, the scoreboard said 208-odd runs but it was close to 240 because the Ireland side fielded really well and their bowlers were very well backed up by the fielders. Ireland used as many as eight bowlers to try and dislodge the pair but they dealt with the varied bowling attack and managed to score at a modest pace despite a sterling fielding effort by the Irish.The most impressive Irish bowlers were their young spinners. The 20-year-old Paul Stirling finished with none for 45 and the 18-year-old off-spinner George Dockrell finished with two for 49 -- their figures spoilt by Pathans blitz at the very end.
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